Canaries Holidays

Destination highlights

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Beaches | Hotels | Nightlife | Food & drink | Events | Things to do | Weather | Important information | Reviews |

What are the best beaches in the Canaries?

From long sandy stretches to big rolling waves, whether you’re a beach bum or watersport enthusiast, the Canary Islands are sure to have the perfect beach for you. And, with year-round toasty temperatures and over 300 annual days of sunshine, there’s no better place for relaxing beach break. Take a look at some of our top beaches here;

• Maspalomas (Gran Canaria) – 17km of sandy shores are backed by rolling sand dunes here, so there’s plenty of space to soak up the sun
• Amadores (Gran Canaria) – A sweeping man-made crescent with shallow waters and windbreakers make this beachgreat for a family day out
• Playa el Bollullo (Tenerife) - A black-sand volcanic beach that redefines the meaning of secluded. Perfect for a romantic beach day
• Las Vistas (Tenerife) - 850m of gently sloping sands and calm waters. There’s tons of facilities here including plenty of places to stop for ice cream with the kids
• Corralejo (Fuerteventura) - A large sandy beach with great waves for watersports
• Playa el Hierro (Fuerteventura) - This completely unique beach lies not far from Corralejo and is not a traditional sandy beach. This one looks like popcorn, seriously!
• Playa Flamingo (Lanzarote) - Super-fine sand and manmade breakwaters make this beach a great choice for families
• Playa del Reducto (Lanzarote) - A pristine beach with Blue Flag status, this stretch of powder-soft sand is a hit with all travellers

What are the top hotels in the Canaries?

What’s the food like in the Canaries?

Tapas with a twist, Canarian food is unique to the archipelago. With its roots firmly in Spanish flavours, Canarian cuisine also has the added Latin American and North African influences, resulting in delicious flavour combinations. Here are a few of our must-try dishes;

• Papas arrugadas - the Canary Islands in one bite - a delicious side dish of local salty potatoes
• Mojo Picón/verde - dipping sauce that is usually served with papas arrugadas but to be honest, it goes with everything
• Ropa vieja - Latin American influences are shown in this delicious shredded meat and bean dish
• Rancho canario - Canary comfort food. A hearty and delicious local stew

You’ve had a great day at the beach, showered, had the obligatory post-beach nap, and you’re ready to head out for dinner. Well, if its traditional Canarian tapas on the menu, then take a look at a few of our recommendations below.

• Ibéricos J. Cruz - Gran Canaria
• Taberna Cántabra - Tenerife
• Casa Manolo - Fuerteventura
• Restaurante "El Golfo" Casa Santi - Lanzarote

Where is the best nightlife in the Canaries?

From the buzzing strip of Playa de las Americas in Tenerife to the trendy backstreet bars of Las Palmas in Gran Canaria, the nightlife across these islands is incredibly varied. So, whether you fancy sipping a cocktail at sunset, enjoy a cabaret show by the beach or dance until the sun comes up, theres a perfect spot for you in the Canaries. Here are a few of our favourite venues;

• La Azotea de Benito Cocktail Bar - a trendy rooftop cocktail bar with stunning views over Las Palmas Old Town in Gran Canaria
• Papagayo Beach Club - a beach club, bar, restaurant and nightclub all rolled into one and right on the gorgeous Tenerife sands
• Bar La Cueva - set inland, this unique bar is located in the former residence of a film star and offers incredible views of lava-clad cliffs
• Rock Island Bar - acoustic live sessions, super cool decor and a totally chilled out vibe

What events can I go to in the Canaries?

From huge festivals to religious celebrations, the Canary Islands are packed full of events. Whether you’re jetting off to Tenerife, heading for a beachy Fuerteventura escape or enjoying a Gran Canaria getaway, there’s plenty going on in the Canary Islands. Here are a few of our faves:

• Gran Canaria Pride - With events in both May and November, expect huge parades, all-night parties and plenty of fun
• Maspalomas Carnival - Parades, street parties and fantastic costumes, Maspalomas Carnival takes place in March and hosts a different theme every year
• Romería de La Peña Fuerteventura - Every September, people from all over the world come to celebrate this religious date
• Kite festival Fuerteventua - November sees the skies over Fuerteventura’s beaches come alive with huge kites
• Visual Music Festival Lanzarote - A music festival like no other is located across the island in October. Expect amazing concerts in even more amazing locations
• Atlantic Odyssey Lanzarote - A 60+ strong boat race from Lanzarote to the Carribean sets sail every November with plenty of fun family activities
• The Canary Islands Music Festival - between the months of January and March, Tenerife plays host to a music festival celebrating classical music

What is there to do in the Canaries?

Take a hike

With their volcanic landscapes, lush greenery and stunning crystal-blue waters, the Canary Islands are perfect for those who love to hike. If you’re looking for a challenge, head to Tenerife and climb the jaw-dropping Mount Tiede, reaching heights of 3718m. In Gran Canaria, there are plenty of trails around the island to choose from, including the 10km hikes up Montaña del Viso and Camino de Santiago. The trails in Fuerteventura and Lanzarote may not be as well known but are definitely still worth checking out, especially if you fancy a day exploring in the wonderful Canarian sunshine.

Make a splash at a waterpark

One of the largest waterparks in Europe, Siam Park in Tenerife, promises a fun-filled day for all the family. Get your adrenaline pumping with the 28m-high Tower Power or sit back, relax and take it easy on the Mai Thai Lazy River. Over in Maspalomas, Gran Canaria you can head to Aqualand, offering a fantastic variety of pools and slides for all-around family fun! If you prefer to stay dry, there’s the Angry Birds Activity Park located in Puerto Rico, Gran Canaria that’s a hit with the younger ones.

Try a new watersport

The beautiful islands offer sun-soaked beaches on the Atlantic Ocean, which can only mean one thing….watersports! From surfing to wakeboarding, scuba diving to paragliding – there’s something for everyone. Those who love to ride the waves will find the best spots for surfing in Corralejo (Fuerteventura) and La Santa in Lanzarote. If windsurfing is your passion, make sure to go to one of the best windsurfing spots in the world - Pozo Izquiero in Gran Canaria. With crystal-clear waters, it’s great for those who prefer to be underwater rather than on top of it, as scuba diving and snorkelling is a fantastic experience when you’re in the Canary Island waters.

Dance the night away

If you’re hoping to dance until the early hours, Playa de las Americas in Tenerife has 2 main strips, both lined with bars and clubs including the hugely popular Linekers Bar. Over in Gran Canaria, Maspalomas, Playa del Ingles and Las Palmas de Gran Canaria all offer a great range of bars from chilled-out spots to jazz clubs. Fuerteventura may be a calm, relaxing island, but you can still find your dose of evening fun in Corralejo where you can dance, drink cocktails or even watch some sports with a couple of beers. If it’s clubbing that you want, Puerto del Carmen in Lanzarote has the buzzing atmosphere that you need for a fabulous night out on the tiles.

Go stargazing

With five Canary Islands being declared UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, these gorgeous islands make for the most perfect moonlit stroll. Light pollution is heavily controlled here making the night sky super clear and full of stars, so a beachy midnight walk is a must.

Explore an underground world

There may not be any rivers in the Canaries but there are a load of spectacular underwater lakes and caves to explore. Whether you feel like swimming in a cenote, exploring the caverns or having a candlelit dinner by an underground lake in Europe, there’s plenty to see under the ground here.

What's the weather like in the Canaries?

The Canary Islands enjoy great weather all year round due to their location just off the west coast of Africa. Summer months have an average of 24°C with highs of 28°C while December and January see temperatures drop to a still warm 17°C. July and August see the smallest amount of rainfall with an average of 1 rainy day while the winter months are slightly wetter with an average of 6 rainy days.

Important Information about travelling to the Canaries

How many Canary Islands are there?

The five main Canary islands include Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and La Palma.

How long does it take to fly to the Canaries?

It takes about four and a half hours to fly to the Canaries from the UK.

What’s the time difference between the UK and the Canaries?

There is no time difference between the Canaries and the UK

What currency do they use in the Canaries?

The official currency of the Canaries is the Euro.

What language do they speak in the Canaries?

The official language spoken in the Canaries is Spanish.

Do I need any vaccinations to visit the Canaries?

Please check with your healthcare provider for all up to date vaccination advice before booking your holiday.

Do I need to pay tax on my holiday to the Canaries?

Customers will be required to pay a sustainable tourist tax when staying in the Canaries. This is usually between €0.5-€5 per person per night, depending on the season and star rating of the hotel. This is usually payable in local currency to the hotel.

Will Covid-19 affect my holiday to the Canaries?

We are currently closely following the Covid-19 situation and how it affects travel. You can find out the most up to date information about travel to Spain on the FCO website.

Customer reviews

At On the Beach, we’ve sent many satisfied customers to the Canaries for a bit of sunshine. But don't just take our word for it, read some of their 5-star reviews below.